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Rabbi Yaacov Yosef, the foremost disciple of the Baal Shem
Tov, and one of
the earliest champions of the chassidic movement, was a descendant of the
kabbalist Rabbi Shimshon of
Ostropole, and Rabbi Yomtov Lipman Heller, author of
Tosefot Yomtov, the famed commentary to the Mishnah. His unique approach
to Chasidut combines his ancestors' field of expertise, blending scholarship in
both Kabbalah and Halachah.

While still a young man, Yaacov Yoseph was appointed Rabbi of Sharogrod.
Although he sharply opposed the budding chassidic movement at that time, on one
occasion he met the Baal Shem Tov and was closeted with him for several hours;
he then emerged as an admirer of the new movement, becoming one of its leading
proponents. His congregants, who disapproved of his change of heart, forced him
to leave his post. He served as Rabbi of Rashkov and of Nemirov, and then in
1770 he became the Rabbi of Polnoye. He was revered for his unexcelled piety and
his dedication to Torah study.

Although the Baal Shem's closest disciple, he was not chosen to succeed the
master upon his death. The dynamic Maggid of Mezritch was chosen, as R' Yaakov's
inner-directed and scholarly nature made him unsuitable as the leader of the
popular movement. R' Yaakov Yosef's work Toledot Yaakov Yosef is a highly
intellectual exposition of chassidic philosophy; it occupies a preeminent place
in chassidic literature, and can be found on the shelf of every chassidic beit
midrash. It was the first book to be published by chassidim. The author weaves
together kabbalistic and profound philosophical concepts, combining them with
halachic themes and organizing his material according to the weekly Torah
portions. He quotes his mentor, the Baal Shem Tov, more than 280 times. This
book was praised by many chassidic giants. R'
Pinchas of Koretz called it "Torah from the Garden of Eden".

He also
authored BenPorat Yosef, Tzofnat Paane'ach, and Ketonet
Passim.

R' Yaakov Yosef was older than the Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), and while his
exact year of birth is unknown, it is believed that he lived more than 110
years. Chassidim refer to this giant of the spirit simply as "the Toldos". He
left behind one righteous son, Rabbi Avraham Shimshon, and one righteous daughter.

The Floating Bed

"Every word, every letter in this book, Toldot
Yaakov Yosef , is precious," Reb Yayvi, the Maggid of Ostra
told his son, Getzel. "There is just one passage whose meaning eludes
me." Reb Yayvi turned again to the obtuse section and pored over it for a
long time but could not fathom its meaning.

"Come, Getzel," he announced to his son. "We are going to R'
Yaakov Yosef himself for an explanation." After many hours of travel, the
carriage finally stopped in front of R' Yaakov Yosef's house. They found R'
Yaakov Yosef lying in bed. It was several days before he would die.

"I have come to you for Torah knowledge. I bought your precious book and
enjoyed it thoroughly, studying it closely from cover to cover. There was one
passage, however, which I could not understand. I have come here to ask you for
an explanation."

R' Yaacov Yosef motioned to the bookcase where his volume stood among other
books. "Bring it here and show me exactly which passage you are referring
to." The visitor did as he was told. As soon as he opened the book, it fell
to the particular paragraph in question. He handed it to the man in bed.

"Here, it says, 'I heard from my rebbe the Baal Shem Tov...'"

As soon as he began explaining, R' Yaakov's face began to glow with an
unearthly aura, his body appeared like a burning torch. The very bed he lay on
rose in the air and hovered, surrounded by a pillar of fire !

"When he finished his explanation," Reb Getzel would tell over many
times in the years to come, "everything returned to normal. The fire
disappeared and the bed rested once more on the floor with its occupant, an
exhausted old man."

"It is a sight I will never forget all my days," Reb Getzel would
say, swearing by his beard that it was all true. (Sifrei Kodesh)

May
the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Yaakov
Yosef of Polnoye
protect us all, Amen.